The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)’s Audit Report (Economic Sector) for the year ending March 2013 tabled in the Odisha Assembly today has exposed the state government’s failure to meet its own targets for providing irrigation cover and drinking water supply in the state.

According to the report, the state government has failed to achieve the target of providing 35 per cent irrigation facilities in 152 of the state’s 314 blocks while the minimum target of supplying drinking water was not met in as many as 95 urban local bodies (ULB).

“Audit notices that out of 105 ULBs, supply of water was less than the mandated level (135 litres per person per day) in 95 ULBs while ten ULBs drew water beyond their mandated level,” said the CAG in its report.

The report pointed out that even after five years, the government had failed to meet its target of providing at least 35 per cent irrigation cover in all the 314 blocks in the state during the plan period from 2005-2006 to 2009-10 even after it prepared master plans for each district in 2005-06 .

As per State Water Policy 2007, the state is supposed to provide adequate safe drinking water for human beings and livestock both in urban and rural areas. Irrigation and multi-purpose projects should invariably include components for domestic use which should override the demands from other sectors, the report said.